Raymond Blanc’s hotel and restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is accused of ‘ecological vandalism’ as locals say workers ‘destroyed’ meadow of wildflowers during maintenance work
- Villagers have accused Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons of ‘ecological vandalism’
- The top hotel and restaurant is run by French celebrity chef Raymond Blanc
- Locals in Great Milton say they have mowed their fields during ‘No Mow May’
- Owners Belmond Hotel group say it undertook annual maintenance on the field
A top hotel and restaurant run by celebrity chef Raymond Blanc has been accused of ‘ecological vandalism’ – after ‘destroying’ a meadow of wildflowers.
Villagers in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, say workers at the £1,000-a-night Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons mowed the field for ‘no reason’ – during ‘No Mow May’.
The nationwide project – backed by The National Trust – aims to encourage gardners and landowners not to mow their lawns in May in a bid to encourage wildflower growth.
But residents living near the hotel, which boasts a two-Michelin star restaurant run by French chef Blanc, say the field was mowed earlier this month.
Owners, the Belmont Hotel group, said it was carrying out annual maintenance on the field – which sits behind the hotel and which used to have sheep on it.
But pictures of the 10.5 acre field – often used by dog walkers and villagers – show a stark contrast, with the vibrant green field now looking brown and dead.
Local resident David Traynor, 68, said the work was ‘ecological vandalism’.
Villagers in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, say workers at the £1,000-a-night Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons mowed the field for ‘no reason’ – during ‘No Mow May’. Residents living near the hotel, which boasts a two-Michelin star restaurant run by French chef blanc, say the field was mowed earlier this month. Pictured left, before, and right, after
Pictures of the 10.5 acre (4 hectare) field – often used by dog walkers and villagers – show a stark contrast, with the vibrant green field now looking brown and dead
Mr Traynor said residents were particularly upset because the mowing took place during ‘No Mow May’. The scheme, run by Plantlife and backed by the National Trust, is aimed at encouraging people not to mow their lawns during May
Residents living near the hotel, which boasts a two-Michelin star restaurant run by French chef Blanc (pictured), say the field was mowed earlier this month
The restaurant has two Michelin stars and is owned by LVMH – who acquired it from Belmond Ltd in December 2018
He said: ‘A public footpath runs through it, and basically anyone could go there – it was a very lovely place. It supported the whole food chain.
‘People would walk their dogs there, go strolling, enjoy the wildlife etc. But now it’s been mown right down to the ground – and for no purpose.
‘The Manoir doesn’t cultivate the land, they don’t grow anything on it. Nor do they use it for anything else.’
Mr Traynor said residents were particularly upset because the mowing took place during ‘No Mow May’.
The scheme, run by Plantlife and backed by the National Trust, is aimed at encouraging people not to mow their lawns during May.
Experts say this allows for the growth of wildflowers and is good for bees and other forms of garden wildlife.
Mr Traynor said: ‘Considering “No Mow May” is going on right now, everyone in the village is very disappointed and it just seems pointless destruction – it’s practically vandalism.
‘It’s just question of timing too. Yes, they’ve mowed it in the past, but if you mow it in March then you don’t do the ecological damage than doing it in the middle of May.
‘Everything that was growing and blooming there, all the insects and butterflies and everything, they’ve all been destroyed now or deprived their home.
‘They’re not cultivating it or growing anything on it, they’ve just mown it down to the ground. It’s terrible, it’s just ecological vandalism.’
A spokeswoman for the hotel group said it was carrying out ‘well overdue’ annual maintenance work on the field.
The restaurant has two Michelin stars and is owned by LVMH – who acquired it from Belmond Ltd in December 2018.
The eaterie is run by French chef Blanc, 72, and the group has applied for planning permission to create a new wellness spa, bistro and Raymond Blanc academy on its land.
Mr Traynor added: ‘This is unfortunately part of a wider debate as well because the Manoir has submitted an application for this really huge expansion.
‘Nobody really minds the idea of a spa, but they want to become a bistro, a cookery school etc.’
Another resident said she objected to the hotel group’s planning application.
The eaterie is run by French chef Blanc, 72, and the group has applied for planning permission to create a new wellness spa, bistro and Raymond Blanc academy on its land
Owners, the Belmont Hotel group, said it was carrying out annual maintenance on the field – which sits behind the hotel (pictured) and which used to have sheep on it
She said: ‘As a climate and sustainability specialist I was shocked to witness the destruction of acres of wildflower and natural fields at a time when wildlife is flourishing and most in need of these habitats.
‘This raises huge concern to me of the principals of this project and the impact it will have on the local ecology.’
The group have recently applied for planning permission to upgrade the 15th Century building and expand the site’s facilities.
Members of the public are able to comment on the hotel plans, as part of South Oxfordshire District Council’s consultation period.
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